WORSHIP SERIES

Andrew T. Oribiana, STL

Topics in the Series

Talk 1: The Meaning of ‘Worship’

Talk 2: ‘Worship’ and the ‘Holy Spirit’

Talk 3: ‘Worship’ and ‘Liturgy’

Talk 4: ‘Worship’ and ‘Service’

Andrew T. Oribiana, S.T.L. Page 1

 Talk 1: The Meaning of ‘Worship’

Andrew T. Oribiana, S.T.L. Page 2

TALK 1: The Meaning of „Worship‟
 A. What is Worship?
 B. Am I a true worshipper of God?
 C. What are the obstacles in worshiping God?

A. What is Worship?
Where should we get the meaning of the term worship if we are to understand how
God understands it? In the Sacred Scriptures. Here are some of the Hebrew and Greek
words that were translated into „worship‟ in the English versions of the Bible. Going back
to the original terms and their nuances will hopefully deepen our understanding of the
word „worship‟.

Shachah (Old Testament)

 to “bow” politely or respectfully

 to “prostrate oneself”
 to “make obeisance” or
 to “bend low”

Proskuneō (New Testament)

 Pros = to turn toward
 Kuneō = to kiss
 to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior

Both terms point to the same reality of “submissive lowliness and deep respect.”

Abodah (Old Testament)

 to work
 to serve
 “a service rendered to God”
Latreia (New Testament)
 Worship
 Service

Both terms point to the same reality of “"rendering service of homage or respect"

Andrew T. Oribiana, S.T.L. Page 3

Yadah (Old Testament)
 to cast or throw up the hands
 to lift up one‟s hands
 to give praise
 to give thanks

Sebomai (New Testament)

 to revere
 to hold someone in high respect
 to stand in awe

Leitourgia (New Testament)

 "sacred ministry or service“
 (later focuses on priestly, Levitical ministration)

Based on these terms, ultimately, what God requires is a comprehensive form of

worship. Worship expression involving “seeing” and “hearing” will be unmistakably
clear and integrative, involving both symbolic and verbal communications:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under
the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father. (Phil. 2:10-11).

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God‟s mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper
worship. (Romans 12:1)

Don Williams wrote, “The heart of biblical worship is surrender” because

“worship is not getting; worship is giving... worship is the basis for a life of self-
giving; it is surrendering ourselves to God.”

B. Am I a True Worshipper of God?

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the
Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.”

(John 4:23)

God is looking for true worshippers. The Greek word for seeking is zeteo. It has a
connotation of “require” or “demand”. Jesus wants us to realize that worship is an
inner spiritual response, not just an outward expression or form. It must come
from our spirit, the innermost essence of our person.

Andrew T. Oribiana, S.T.L. Page 4

In Spirit (Subjective Prerequisite)

True worship is keeping the communion of our spirit with God‟s Spirit. Worshippers
spend the entire day with their spirits on the Lord, conscious in giving Him praise. Our
spirit controls our worship of God, not our flesh or our soul. It is not the performance that
makes worship, but worship motivates the performance.

The Father is seeking true “worshippers.” People who are committed, submitted,
and dedicated to rendering worship to Him.

“In him we were also chosen …in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in
Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”
(Eph 1:11-12)

In Truth (Objective Prerequisite)

God also instructs us to worship Him in truth. What does it mean to worship in
truth?

The word translated “truth” in the Old Testament is closely related to the Hebrew
words for pillar and for peg. This implies that truth is a strong, reliable support.

Something that is true stays. Worship is to be continual. It is not to start and

stop as songs do.

“I will bless the Lord at all times…”

Ps. 34:1

Jesus invites us to discern that which is „dependable‟ in our worship, to make the
right choices and actions that will strengthen our bond with the Father.

So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I
will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
(1 Cor. 14:15)

And the truth sets us free—free from sin which clouds our fellowship with God, free from
misconceptions about God which hinder our worship. Because the Word reveals the
true and living God, it prepares us to worship him in truth, as He is.

The Catechism for Filipino Catholics shows us the wide horizon (horizontal aspect or
social dimension) of worship:

“What is worship? Worship is interior reverence and homage

offered to the Divine Majesty through words and actions in public ritual.

Andrew T. Oribiana, S.T.L. Page 5

 Authentic worship “in Spirit and truth” is never empty ritualism, but
includes rendering justice to the poor, the widow and the orphan...”

C . What are the Obstacles in Worship?

According to the Catechism for Filipino Catholics, for Filipinos, there are three
obstacles in worship.

First our general human laziness and weakness of which St. Paul complained (cf.
Rom 7), fortified by the growing secularist materialism of our age.

Secondly, are the more personal obstacles of “growing-up” complaints of children

and youth (“why do I have to. . . ?”) and common superficial reasons for attendance
(just to be with the peers, show off my new clothes, etc.)

Thirdly, the current stress on “self-development,” “self-fulfillment,” etc. There is little

chance of praising and “taking delight” in God and others when we are so focused on
ourselves.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has a beautiful reminder about „worship‟

 347 Creation was fashioned with a view to the sabbath and therefore for the
worship and adoration of God. Worship is inscribed in the order of
creation. As the rule of St. Benedict says, nothing should take precedence over
"the work of God", that is, solemn worship. This indicates the right order of
human concerns.

Andrew T. Oribiana, S.T.L. Page 6